Yankowski Crosses Line First But White Wins At Five Mile Point

KIRKWOOD, NY...Frank Yankowski appeared to have won his first Five Mile Point Speedway Modified feature on Saturday night. However when he crossed the scales he didn’t make weight and the win went to point leader Eddie White. Greg McKernan, Charlie Sharpsteen, Ralph Shoemaker, Jr., Troy VanAllen and Jim Palmer also visited victory lane on Saturday.

Yankowski raced into the lead at the drop of the green but White was on the move from his eighth starting spot. White needed only seven laps to move into second and set his sights on Yankowski. It was only Yankowski’s third race in his new Bicknell mount and he had it dialed in as he held off the persistent White.

Butch Klinger and Mitch Gibbs were putting pressure on Dave Calaman for third as the race unfolded. Klinger grabbed the spot with nine laps to go and Gibbs followed suit just five laps later, relegating Calaman back to fifth.

Yankowski took the checkered flag but when he went to the scales he was light. He was allowed to go to the end of the line and try again but nothing changed and he was disqualified. The win went to White with Klinger taking second ahead of Gibbs, Calaman and Dave Locke. Sixth through tenth went to Brian Davis, J.R. Crouse, Rich Keehle, Pat Jordan and Bill Cook.

Dan Podwika held the lead in the Street Stock feature until Lyle Williams took over briefly on lap nine. Greg McKernan moved in front on lap ten and maintained a three car advantage the rest of the way to take the win.

Brett Spoor tried to keep pace but had to settle for second ahead of Ken Sparks, Jr., Scott Bennett and Glen Wilcox. Podwika came home sixth followed by Jerry Tonti, Williams, Ken Hineline and Randy Rolison.

Ralph Shoemaker, Jr. took the lead at the halfway point of the Pure Stock feature and cruised to the feature win. Point leader Mark Aldrich finished second and was followed by Walt McClenon, Jeff Cleveland and Randy Percival.

The Eastern Modified Lite feature was a dandy with Troy VanAllen taking the lead from Tim O’Neill on lap five. VanAllen was quickly challenged by Gordy Isham as the two put on a great battle for the lead. Isham moved ahead on lap ten and looked to be on his way to the win.

The veteran driver slowed with two laps to go and VanAllen moved back ahead to stay and claimed the win. Isham was second followed by Duane Knapp, O’Neill and Steve Tourje.

Charlie Sharpsteen went wire to wire to take home the Grand American Modified feature win. He was chased to the stripe by Mike Stoddard, Charlie Gilbert, Ken Taylor and Kevin Cole.

Jim Palmer captured another Figure 8 feature win. He was followed by Joe Momma, Steve Dechow, Fran Reed and Michele Palmer.

This Saturday is the final round of the Survivor Series. Four fans will win VIP passes to Season Championship Night and a shot at some extra cash if their driver wins on that night. Race time is 7:00 p.m.

One of the most anticipated races in a long time will take place on Wednesday, August 15th when the Southern Tier Sprint Car Showdown comes to the Point. The best Sprint Car drivers in the northeast will converge on the quarter mile oval for what is certain to be a great show. Race time on the 15th is 7:30 p.m. In the event of rain the race would be held on the following Wednesday, August 22nd, also at 7:30 p.m.

COUNTER POINTS...Pure Stock driver Jerry Whitmarsh gathered money for a Modified Dash for Cash. Glenn Knapp took the win and the $300 top prize...Another strong field of 27 358 Modifieds were on hand...Klinger, Locke and Keehle pocketed the Sportsman bonus money finishing second, fifth and eighth respectively.

MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH: EDDIE WHITE, Butch Klinger, Mitch Gibbs, Dave Calaman, Dave Locke, Brian Davis, J.R. Crouse, Rich Keehle, Pat Jordan, Bill Cook, Bob Lane, Kevin Timinski, Robin Oltz, Jim Potts, Dana Wagner, Danny West, Chuck Kennison, Dan Hineline, Dave Yehl, Brian Bray, Ed Harris, Glenn Knapp, Jamie Yankowski. Frank Yankowski (DQ).

STREET STOCK FEATURE FINISH: GREG McKERNAN, Brett Spoor, Ken Sparks, Jr., Scott Bennett, Glen Wilcox, Dan Podwika, Jerry Tonti, Lyle Williams, Ken Hineline, Randy Rolison, Byron Pitcher, James Christ, Fred Christ, Don Russell, Wade Decker, Jay Conroy.

PURE STOCK FEATURE FINISH: RALPH SHOEMAKER, JR., Mark Aldrich, Walt McClenon, Jeff Cleveland, Randy Percival, Toby Sparks, Harry Cook, Jr., Mahlon Shoemaker, Jim Ortiz, Bryan Lindsey, Todd Sutliff, Art Spencer, Carl Stark, Jerry Whitmarsh, Doug Drake, Harold Goodell.

EASTERN MODIFIED LITE FEATURE FINISH: TROY VanALLEN, Gordy Isham, Duane Knapp, Tim O’Neill, Steve Tourje, Frank Yankowski, Chris Thompson, Billy Roys, Bunk Ellis, Ed Knapp, Floyd Clark, Matt Vosburgh, Louie Gordinier.

GRAND AMERICAN MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH: CHARLIE SHARPSTEEN, Mike Stoddard, Charlie Gilbert, Ken Taylor, Kevin Cole, Gil Sharpsteen, Larry Burke.

FIGURE 8 FEATURE FINISH: JIM PALMER, Joe Momma, Steve Dechow, Fran Reed, Michele Palmer.